First, look at Better Business Web site and then look at the 'RipOFF' web site below which is full of complaints on Sonic Camera: http://www.yelp.com/biz/sonic-cameras-new-york

Never, ever, ever, order anything from this company. They advertise incredibly low camera prices and then invariably refuse to sell what you've ordered online. They use extreme 'bait and switch' tactics to try to sell a different brand at an inflated price. They tried to tell me that Canon 'L' lenses (professional grade) had distorted glass, a plastic housing and broke frequently and that a Sigma Lens was the only one that had a metal housing. I insisted I wanted what I ordered (Canon lens) and was told it was out of stock. I said I can wait a few weeks. I was told it would be 6 months before another would arrive and that the price would double by then and that it would cost $50 for a lens hood (they come in the Canon box for free). Terrible CROOKS and LIARS that should be jailed.

Internet search revealed a Canon 40D Camera Body for $319 - way below any other competitive offer. (I should have known it was too good to be true). After ordering I received a call asking for my 3 digit security code on the credit card. Then the sales person explained no battery was included. So when including the battery and charger, the price jumped up to ~$698 - more in line with some other sites I had reviewed. I was annoyed, but went ahead with the order since it was so close to Christmas and I wanted the camera as a gift. I had also ordered a memory card since they had a "special offer" to double the size of the card. I inquired to verify I would be getting the double size and was told that offer only applied to the "Professional Grade" memory. I knew my son had wanted the highest speed memory and when I realized I had not selected the correct memory, I went along with the switch to memory that their web site and the salesperson said was $299. So now my order I originally thought would be about $400 including memory was now up to $928.

I subsequently realized my son wanted the 50D rather than the 40D. So I made plans to swap the camera after Christmas. My son said he did not need the expensive memory. So it looked like I should be able to swap for the 50D without the memory for about the same outlay. Boy was I wrong. When I called back to Sonic, the story changed. Now the story is that the memory is only worth $120 credit rather than $299. (Sonic's invoice cleverly did not break down the price of each part, but listed a single "package" price. ) They wanted an additional $300 above my original $928 or ~$1230 for the 50D without any additional memory. This is way above the competitive price. Also, they required $125 restocking fee. Their web site says they charge a MINIMUM 10% restocking fee. In reality it is $125 or they say, 15%. So I am returning the 40D and paying the outrageous restocking fee. Hopefully I will see a credit on my credit card. If not I will take further action. Bottom line, DO NOT DO BUSINESS with this scam/bait and switch/lying company.

12/08/2008 around 4:00 California time called Sonic Camera 3505 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY 11234
Their phone number is 888-450-4111 ext.226 to place an order Michael answers from the camera department he claims he is a knowledgeble Pro Camera Expert. I had seen there ad regarding a Deal for $899.99 for a Canon XHA1 which I had researched all week excited about this great deal. I ask Michael why this was such a great deal and he said that the camera was pretty much came with nothing but the base and that needed to upgrade battery, charger, and lense. I told if I had ordered the Top Packages that they offered why would I need to purchase the other stuff seperate he said I still needed to buy other stuff to have a full working camera. I listened to see what kind of deal he could put together. We spent some time and the deal he put seemed good! I accepted then Michael asked for my credit card info I gave him the information. Then after recieving information Michael tells me for a little more that I should get the Sony Fx7 for the same price he thinks it would be a better deal that camera has other features that canon can't do that i will love it! The Sony Fx7 is the camera for me and for a little more I should go with it after another hour of listening to this guy giving me switch and bait. I was tired and told I wanna think about he said I don't like return it! I said okey! I call back 10 min. later tell Michael I don't want the Sony Fx7 that I had my Heart set on Canon xhA1. I want to cancel my order! He tells me that he can't do that that I need to send him a cashier of $250. to cancel we go back and forth wanting talk the supervisor then he claims he is the supervisor. He then Bullies me over the phone that I wasted his time! I spent hours getting stressed out by Michael. He refused to cancel the order on a product I did not want! This company should be looked into they have know custemer service. I feel like have been set up for fraud! I canceled my credit card! The credit card company said they all ready made the charge without shipping the product! I later looked up to compare the prices and noticed I was bullied into a Higher purchase of a product I did not want! Michael claim that if I cancel the order he was going to charged me 10%and fee and the returns & exchanges said that in order to charge this first you have to received the product in which I never received. I feel like they this company needs be looked into and that the way they deal with customers is to bully them and insult them over the phone! I should not have to feel like my identy and credit is out there in the open for a bunch of crimals to do what they like and hassel me to what they want. This is not right! I pray there is justice and that the way have been made to feel no one should ever have to go through. Thank you for ready if you need more info please feel free to contact me!

From: Joe
To: AJoe
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:44 AM
Subject: Re: Please call Sonic Cameras.com to confirm order #43123

Upon calling as requested below, representative Edward first attempted to instead sell me some non-Canon lense instead of what I ordered.
After I told him I simply wanted the lense I ordered, he told me he would only sell a "grey market" version unless I paid an additional $400+, the order would be cancelled.
When I told hom to cancel the order, he stated, "Well, how about I then charge you a 50% cancellation fee?"
I responded "Try it, you slimeball" and hung up.
The Attorney General and better business bureau will be notified and I will post this incident to help prevent others from dealing with this crooked outfit.


----- Original Message -----
From: Sonic Cameras
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:00 AM
Subject: Please call Sonic Cameras.com to confirm order #43123



Dear H Joseph Slater,

Thank you for your order. Your order number is: 43123

This email is to confirm receipt of your online order with us. For your security, please call us at 1-888-450-4111, Option 1 to provide a verbal confirmation so that we can ship out your order. If you have already called and confirmed your order, you may disregard this request.

Thanks again for shopping with us.

Sincerely,
Sonic Cameras.com

Our Business Hours
9:30 AM - 7:00 PM MONDAY-THURSDAY
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM FRIDAY
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM SUNDAY
CLOSED SATURDAY
*All times are Eastern Standard Time

Don't do business with them... PERIOD! After you try to clarify your order because they send you some b-s email saying to call then...you get transferred to (lack-o) management named Bruce... hang up quick before the insults start and he starts saying f-you and f-that... tells you have no idea what you are talking about ect. I told him my wife is a professional photographer (which she is..) and I was buying her this lens for a birthday present - and he said: 'Your wife is f-ing stupid and has no idea what she wants...' Customer service - WOW!